Bio

Age 11, Texas

Favorite Subject: everything

Book: too many to name a favorite

Music: Christian Rock

Extracurricular Activities: Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (AWANA) and band

Hobbies: reading, writing, sewing, camping, biking, and talking with friends

Robyn likes a little bit of everything. In school she does best in math and reading. She also likes to read fictional books.

As a kid reporter, she hopes to learn more about how to write high-quality, interesting stories.

"To be a reporter would challenge and improve my ability to write," she said. "[I also want] to show other people, my age or younger, that it can be done and you can reach your goals of your life."

In her free time, Robyn likes to go camping. And she travels around the U.S. with her family every summer.

Robyn is in the sixth grade in Texas. She has three older brothers.

Texas Strikes the Right Note
Music and baseball just part of the Lone Star State

By Robyn Haynes
Scholastic Kids Press Corps

There are many things that make Alvin, Texas, special. The city provided evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with homes, food, clothes, and schooling in 2005. The Alvin School District is currently sponsoring a book-drive to provide teachers in New Orleans with brand new books to replace those lost to Hurricane Katrina.

And Alvin is the home of baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan, who could throw at a ball 90 mph. There is a baseball field dedicated to him, the Nolan Ryan Center, at our local Community College.

Also in Alvin is Froberg Farms, a small family-run business selling the best homegrown food you will every taste. Almost everything is grown on the farm and prices are usually lower than local groceries.

Alvin is always growing, with new stores, buildings, schools, museums, and popular restaurants.

My state, Texas, is also special. Texas has its own flag and a pledge we still recite.

Texas loves its music, too. Schools here have good music programs allowing many musicians to perform in The Cavaliers and other topnotch performing groups. The University of Houston has one of the best band programs in the country.

Texas music teachers have a convention every February in San Antonio. Experts teach classes, school groups perform, a barn dance is held, hundreds of music suppliers host booths, and a popular group performs the President's Concert. Our favorites have been the Canadian Brass, Boston Brass, and the Swingle Singers.

In the end, however, Alvin and Texas are special to me because my family lives here.